Metal handling and storage bolster



May 6, 19558 H. EvANs METAL HANDLING AND STORAGE BOLSTER 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed March 21, 1955 INVENTOR. rwiz IiEvans by: 4 Frede ATTORNEYS May6, 1958 F. H. EVANS 2,333,501

METAL HANDLING AND STORAGEBOLSTER Filed March 21, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet. 2

INVENTOR. Ff'eclerwk H. Evans ATTORNEYS May 6, 1958 F. H. EVANS METALHANDLING AND STORAGE \BOLSTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 21, 1955INVENTOR- Frede nah H. Eva/us BY QM? ATTORNEYS United States Patefit GMETAL HANDLING AND STORAGE BOLSTER Frederick H. Evans, Massillon, Ohio,assignor to Evans gililterpris'e, Inn, Massillon, one, a corporation ofApplication March 21, 1955, Serial No.49s;442

9 Claims. (Cl. 248-120) The invention relates to the handling" andstorage of elongated objects of various kinds, such for ih'stance asbillets, bars, rods, tubes and other-lengths bf metal, or othermaterials, and more particularly to "a bolster or rack for receiving andsupporting apnea-my or 'such elongated Objefits. y

In steels mills where 's'u ch me al lefig't-hs are arcane-es, as thebars, rods, tubes or the l reifioved from the mill tostorage place wherethey are segregatd'a'sto size and shape The metal -1ehgths remain atthe, storage place until femov'al for shipment to customers, or forfurther fabrication.

It is becoming general practice in man sfte'el plants, to place suchmetal lengths upon bolsters or racks, as, they emerge from the mill.These loadedbolsters are picked up, usually by straddle carriers andtransported to a storage place. y

when it is desired to remove the bars, rods, tubes or other metallengths from the storage place, for shipment or other purpose, they ateusually removed from the bolster by a magnet andp'lac'd or car-s, andthe empty bolsters ,are returned to the mill by a straddle carrier orthe like. V 1

Such bolsters as are riow iii use for this purpose usually comprise twoend members contested tog'etherin spaced relation by a spaced pair oftubes, tens or are like. The end members of these b'ols'teis areii'siially provided at opposite 'en'ds with upright extensions of ears,so that the bars; rods, tubes or-the like may be pile'd to someconsiderable height upon the bolsters.

As the magnets by which the inefal lengths are removed from the bolstersare extremely heavy, generally weighing several tons, and these magnetsare hsiially suspended upon chains, cables or other flexible elementsfrom a movable booin, as the Boom 'ariy ing' sir-eh magnet is movedadjacent to the bolsters, th gne swings upon its flexible support,frequently strikin the sprig tidensions or ears of the bolsters andbreaking or (imaging the sanie and refidefiiig the olsters aunt rarfurth This results in considerable expense for r'sairsar refines ment ofthe bolsters; v

Furthermore,- s'ticli bolsters as are new in general use are relativelyexpensive, thus materially ncreasing the cost of haiidlifig and storageof bars, rods, tribes and other metal len'gthsr p l "It is therefore aprimaryobject of present iiivfi: tion to rovide a relatively inexpensivebolster of rugged construction Whih will not be easily damaged as byimpact with a heavy magnet or the like.,

Another object is t6 provide sncna bolster *hlvirigerid members in theterm of rsiafiv'eiy thin metal shellsfill'ed with: concrete, andconnected to ether in spaced relation by tubes or Bar's, the odds ofwhich are embedded in the concrete ifi the end members. 7 V v A furtherobje'otis as provide such a bolster in the metal shells are in the formof pipes or tubes of flativdlyla'r'g diameter.

-e are rolledtheyare 2,833,501 asse Met, 6

A still further object is to rovide a hoists; or ihe character referredto in which each end member has hollow upright extcnsionsat its ends,filled with concrete so as to resist impact.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bolster of this type inwhich each end member is formed of a single section of large diameterpipe, the ends ofwhich are bent upwardly to provide upright extensionsat each end thereof. n I

It is also an object of the invention to provide such bolster havingmeans thereon for engagement by the load hooks of a straddle carrier.

Still another object is to provide a bolster of the character referredto, in which the shell for each end member is formed of a pair ofsimilarly formed metal sheets 'attached together as by spot welding vThe above objects together with others which will be evident from thedrawings and following description, or which may be later referred to,may be attained by con, structing the improved bolsters in themanner-illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter described in detail.

In general terms, the invention may be briefly described as comprising abolster having two similar end members each having upright extensions atits ends, each end men'i her being formed of a hollow r'netal shellfines with connew, the and members being connected together in spacedFig.8;

the pipe, and also filled with concrete.

relation by a pair of rods or tubes, the ends of which are embedded inthe 'concretein th @fid members. U

More specifically, the hollow shell each end may be' ronnea of metalpipe of relatively large diameter,

and the upright extensions at th' ends thereof riiay be formed bybending the ends of the pipe upwardly, or by welding angularly disposedpieces of pipe thereto, or by inserting .aiigularly disposed pieces ofsmaller diameter pipe into openings cut in the top thereof.

' In one modification, the extensions maybe hollow, substantiallytriangular shells welded to opposite ends of In another modification,the shell for each end member may be formed of two similar sheet metalmembers, shaped and bent to provide integral end extensions, and weldedtogether.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the aec'o'mp'anyingdrawi gtin which; p n M Fig. 1 is an end elevation, with parts broken insection, of a bolster in which each end member is formed of a similarsection of pipe, the ends of which are bent upward to fo'rm upright,extensions; v Fig.2 a side elevation, with parts broken in section, ofthe bolster shown in Fig. 1; I N

Fig. 3 a. fragmentary elevation of one end portion of a slightlymodified form of eiid frariie; I n i Fig. 4 an end elevation of abolster liavinga modified form of end fraiiie formed of a section ofpipe with the ends cut as at upwardly converging angles, shortersections of similar a ons F" .5 ""n "rid elevation of the e'nd frame wann 1;

Fig. 6 antler/assa e broken in section, of 5 B01 a mo lfid form of endframer com oil at i was a ts-assa Hi;

Fig. 8 erid elevation, parity in secltion, ei ij ilisii havinganathema-dines form of ehdfranie cc nnprising a straight seems o g endsiii the! top thefeqf,, and shorter secti'ons of similar pipe angularlyiiise'r'ted into said ope ngs,

ari hdlgele'vatioh at as an sass aiowan pipe welded thereto to formupright to opposite on s thereof to 61511.

s i lliei s e p i Fig. 10 an end elevation of a bolster,par tly insection, showing anothermodified form of end frame comprising a straightsection of relatively large diameter pipe with openings in the topthereof near oppositeends, and short sections of smaller diameter pipeangularly inserted therein; n

Fig. 11 an end elevation of the end frame shown 1n Fl .10; u I ig. 12 aplan view of a sheet metal blank for forming one-half of the shell ofanother. modified form of end frame; a

Fig. 13 an end elevation, partly in section, of a bolster havingthe endframe formed of two members produced bythe blank of Fig. 12; H n i nFig. 14 an end elevation of the end frame shown in Fig. 13;and, p it n nFig". 15.121 section on the line 1 -15, Fig. 13. V Referring 'now' moreparticularly to the embodiments ofthe invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which similar numerals refer to similar partsthroughout, the bolster shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises two similarendmembers, indicatedgenerally at 20, connected in spaced relation by'apairof tubes or rods 21. Eachend member 20 comprises a hollow sheetmetal shell filled with concrete to reinforce and strengthen the same.This metal shell, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, com-.

prises a section of pipe 22, opposite ends of which are bent upward on aradius as indicated at 23: to form the upright extensions 24 at'each endof the frame member. In actual practice, the pipe 22 usedffor thispurpose is an 8" diameter pipesuch as is commonlyused for gas lines.Opposite ends of the pipe section forming each In the modification shownin Figs. 4 and 5, each end frame is indicated generally at 20a and maycomprise a straight section 22a of pipe-having opposite ends cut oil? atupwardly converging angles, as indicated at 37. Shorter sections ofsimilar pipe, as indicated at 24a, are welded to the angular ends 37 ofthe pipe 22a to form upright extensions at each end of each framemember.

The outer ends of these extensions are cut off vertically as at 25a andmay be finished in the same manner as the ends of the'extensions inFigs. 1 and2, being closed by the substantially elliptic plates 26 andrectangular plates 27 which provide the shouldered offsets 28-29 forengagement by the load hooks of a straddle carrier.

The end frames 20a may be connected together by tubes or rods 21inthesame manner as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and the end members filled withconcrete as indicated at 35a. Another modification of the end frame isshown in Figs. '6 and 7, in which the end frame, indicated generally at20b,- comprises a straight section of pipe 22b, the straight ends ofwhich are adapted to 'be closed by metal discs 38, tack welded thereto.

Upright extensions may be formed at opposite ends'of this frame by meansof substantially triangular sheet metal shells 24b welded to oppositesides of the pipe section 22b, as indicated at 39. The pipe section 22bis filled with concrete as indicated at 35b and these triangular endextensions may also be filled with concrete as indicated at 40,

a The tubes or rods 21b have opposite end portions lo catedthrough theend frames 20b in the manner above described, and may have transversepins 41 located therethrough to anchor the same securely within theconcrete. The triangular shells 24b may extend beyond opposite ends ofthe pipe section 22b to provide shoulders 29b for engagement by theload-hooks of a straddle carrier.

In the modification of the end frame shown in Figs.

- V 8 and 9 and indicated generally at 200, the shell may be tiallytriangular filler 29 beingwelded between the lower portion of therectangular plate 27and the adjacent curved portion of the pipe.

In Fig. 3 'is'shown a slight modification of this feature adapted forengagement by an older type of straddle truck grip jaws, For thispurpose, a triangular section is cut out of the underside of eachupwardly curved portion of the pipe, as indicated at 29. The rectangularplate 27a in this'form is substantially the same as the plate 27 inFigscl and 2, and a triangular plate 30 is welded to' each side of' eachextension 24 of the pipe, as indicated at 31, and to the inner surfaceof the rectangular plate 27a, as indicated at 32.

The rods or tubes 21 which connect the 20 in spaced relation areinserted through apertures 33 in the end frames 20, and the oppositeends of these rods or tubes may be beaded or shouldered as indicated at.

A mixture of hydraulic cement and aggregate is poured into each hollowshell, entirely filling the same with con crete, as indicated at 35.When this concrete mixture hardensit forms a reinforcing for each entireframe member, including the upright extensions thereon, and securelyanchors the tubes or rods 21 .withinthe end frame members, the beads orshoulders at the ends of the tubes or rods assisting in securing thesame therein.

In pouring the concrete mixture into these end frame members, one end ofeach frame member may be left openand the member stood on end with theclosed end downward, so that the concrete mixture may be poured into'thefopen' end thereof. After filling with concrete the end plate 26 maybe tack welded to, the open end. If the connecting members 21 are tubes,they are preferably also'filled with "concretel as indicated at 36, soas to strengthen and reinforce the same.

end frames formed by the straight section 22a of pipe, the straight endsof which may be closed by the discs 38c, tack welded therein, Theupright extensions may be formed by shorter sections of similar pipe asindicated at 240 located through suitably formed apertures 42 cut intothe upper side of the pipe 22c near opposite ends thereof.

Extensions43 are formed upon the lower ends of the angular pipesections24c, and when the shell thus formed is filled with concrete, asindicated at 350, these extensions may be embedded thereinfilling theupright extensions 24c rigidly in place. If desired, these pipe sections240 may be welded to the pipe section 22c around the openings 42therein.

The. outer ends of the angular extensions 240 may be cut oif vertically,as indicated at 25c, and may be closed by the substantiallyellipticplates 26c tack welded or otherwise secured thereto.

Shoulders 290, for engagement by the grip jaws of a straddle, truck, maybe formed at opposite ends of the frame member by the rectangular plates27c. Tubes or rods 21 may be the same as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, or asshown at 21b in Figs. 6 and 7.

In Figs. 10 and 11 is shown another modified form of end frame for suchbolster, in which each end frame, indicated generally at 20d, is formedof a straight section of pipe22d, to opposite ends of which areconnected angularly disposed shorter pipe sections 24d of smallerdiameter. i

Thesesmaller pipe sections are angularly inserted I through apertures42d formed in the top of the pipe secby the discs 38a, and have theshoulders 29d formed at each end for engagement by the load books of a,straddle carrier.

The outer ends of the upright extensions 24d may be closed bysubstantially elliptic plates 26d, and rectangular plates 27d may extenddownward'from the ends of said angular extensions to the shoulders 29d.The end frames may be connected inspaced relation by tubes or rods 21which may be either as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 or in Figs. 6 and 7.

Still another modification of end frame is shown in Figs. 12 to 15, inwhich each end frameyindicated generally at 45, is formed of two similarsheet metal members tack welded or otherwise attached together to form ahollow shell.

Eachof the sheet metal members making up the shell is indicatedgenerally at 46-, and each is made from a blank as indicated generallyat 47 in Fig, 12. Eachblank has a right angle slit 48 at each lowercorner portion, forming at each of these corners a pair of rectangularflanges 49 and 50 adapted to be bent inwardly and upwardly respectivelyalong the dotted lines 51 and 52.

An alongated bottom flange 53 is formed at the bottom of the blank, andadapted to be bent upwardly, along the dotted line 54, and a verticalflange 55 is formed at each end of the blank, adapted to be bentinwardly along the dotted line 56.

A central, elongated flange 57 is formed at the top of the blank 47 andadapted to be bent downwardly along the dotted line 58, and at each endthereof is an inclined flange 59 adapted to be bent downwardly along thedotted line 60.

When these flanges are bent in the manner above de-' scribed, two of themembers 46 are telescoped-together, as shown in Figs. 13 to 15, and tackwelded so as to form a hollow, elongated shell with angularly disposedupright extensions 61 at opposite ends and shoulders 50 at oppositelower corners to receive the load hooks of a straddle carrier.

Each member 46 of the shell is provided with openings 62, through whichtubes or rods 21c may be located so as to be embedded in the concretemixture 352 with which the shell is filled. When the shell is thusformed it will be seen that an opening 63 is formed at the juncture ofeach upright extension with the upper central portion of the shell,through which openings the concrete mixture may be poured.

If desired, for the purpose of presenting a relatively small metalsurface to the magnet, by which the metal lengths may be removed fromthe bolster, a small diameter rod, tube or the like, as indicated at 64,may be located upon the top surface 57 of each end frame, the ends ofsaid tube or rod extending through the openings 63 and into thetriangular extensions 61 and embedded in the concrete mixture 35c.

From the above it will be obvious that a simple, inexpensive and ruggedbolster is thus provided, which will be capable of carrying aconsiderable weight, which will not be easily damaged by impact with aheavy magnet or the like, and which presents a relatively small metalsurface to the magnet ordinarily used for removing the metal lengthsfrom the bolster, so that the bolster itself will not be picked up bythe magnet.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because suchwords are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to bebroadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated anddescribed herein are by way of example, and the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, theoperation, and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and theadvantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and usefulconstruction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious'tothose skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.-

I claim:

1.- A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, saidbolster comprising a spaced pair of end- -frames and a spaced pair ofconnecting and spacing mem-' .bers, each end frame comprising a straightelongated tubular metal shell having upright diverging tubularextensions at its ends, and concrete entirely filling eachshellincluding said extensions, the end portions of saidconnec'ting andspacing members being located entirely through the end frames andembedded in said concrete. Y

2. A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, said bolstercomprising, a spaced pair of end frames-and a spaced pair ofconnectingand spacingmeme bers, each end frame comprising a straight elongatedtubular metal shell having upright diverging tubular extensions at itsends, and concrete entirely filling each shell including saidextensions, the end portions of said connecting and spacing membersbeing located entirely through the end frames and embedded in saidconcrete, said connecting and spacing members comprising metal tubes,and concrete filling said metal tubes.

3. A bolster as defined in claim 1, in which the upright divergingtubular extensions are curved.

4. A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, said bolstercomprising a spaced pair of end frames and a spaced pair of connectingand spacing members interposed between and having their end portionsengaged in said end frames, each end frame being formed of metal pipehaving a straight elongated central portion having openings in its upperside near each end thereof, angularly disposed diverging short pipesections inserted through said openings and forming upright extensions,means closing the ends of the straight central portion, means closingthe ends of the angularly disposed short pipe sections, and concretefilling said straight central portion and said angularly disposed shortpipe section.

5. A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, said bolstercomprising a spaced pair of end frames and a spaced pair of connectingand spacing members interposed between and having their end portionsengaged in said end frames, each end frame being formed of metal pipehaving a straight elongated central portion having openings in its upperside near each end thereof, angularly disposed diverging short pipesections of smaller diameter than said straight central portion insertedthrough said openings and forming upright extensions, means closing theends of the straight central portion, means closing the ends of theangularly disposed short pipe sections, and concrete filling saidstraight central portion and said angularly disposed short pipesections.

6. A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, said bolstercomprising a spaced pair of end frames and a spaced pair of connectingand spacing members interposed between and having their end portionsengaged in said end frames, each end frame being formed of metal pipehaving a straight elongated central portion having openings in its upperside near each end thereof, angularly disposed short pipe sectionsinsertedthrough said openings and forming upright diverging extensions,means closing the ends of the straight central portion, means closingthe ends of the angularly disposed short pipe sections, and concretefilling said straight central portion and said angularly disposed shortpipe sections, and legs upon the lower ends of said short pipe sectionembedded in said concrete.

7. A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, said bolstercomprising a spaced pair of end frames and a spaced pair of connectingand spacing members interposed between and having their end portionsengaged in said end frames, each end frame being formed of a l r i p 7,p straight elongated section of metal pipe, means closing the endsthereof, a metal shell attached to each end of said pipe section andforming upright diverging substantially triangular extensions thereon,and concrete filling said pipe sections and said triangular shells. 1

8. A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, said bolstercomprising a spaced pairof end frames and a spaced pair of connectingand spacing members interposed between and having their end portionsengaged in said end frames, each end frame comprising a straightelongated metal'shell, having upwardly and outwardly divergingextensions at opposite ends, andconcrete filling each shell, each shellbeingtormed of two similar sheet metal members having right angleflanges at its marginal edges, corresponding flanges of the two sheetmetal members being overlapped and connected together. p

9. A bolster for handling and storage of elongated objects, said bolstercomprising a spaced pair of end frames v I a I r and a spaced pair ofconnecting and spacing members interposed between and having their endportions engaged in said end frames, each end frame comprising astraight elongated metal shell having upwardly and outwardly divergingextensions at opposite 'ends, and concrete filling each shell, and arelatively small diameter cylindrical ,member attached to the uppersurface of each frame member; the ends of said cylindrical member being10-' cated within said extensions and embedded in the concrete therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,665,020 Whittle June 5, 1954

